Official Luthiers Forum!

OK, another aesthetic question here. Thinking of end pins and strap buttons for my first two, since I'll be placing an order soon. What do most of you do? I like the idea of a strap button, but do you put them on the base of the neck of a hand built guitar? Or on the end only and tie the strap to the head block? Or, for a small parlor like I'm building, is it more appropriate to think of this guitar as a lap instrument only, mostly played while sitting? That sounds a bit odd, just thinking out loud here. And what is more appropriate, chrome or wood? I'm guessing a wood end pin will work as a strap button.

Thanks for the input, now if I could only quit making mistakes I might actually get something done on these. (Cut a back brace a half inch too short from contacting the side today while fitting the back on no. 2. Bummer. Again.)

Thanks,

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Phil

http://www.oleninstruments.com

"Those who tilt at windmills are only considered insane by those who can't see the dragon."

I set the strap button on the neck heel on the treble side and use a screw on button there and the strap pin from the bridge pin set for the tail

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

A guitar is meant to be played and enjoyed, I would hate to limit its use to only seated musicians. I like the strap button on the treble side of the neck heel. I have been making my own strap buttons lately. I take a wood screw of suitable size and insert it into a countersunk scrap of wood (matching the FB), glue it in to lock the threads and glue on a second scrap piece to cover the screw top (actually I like to use a thin laminate of another wood from the project to separate them). I chuck the screw into my drill press and turn the buttons using files, saw blades, sandpaper. . . polish while spinning. Then I can just screw the whole thing into the appropriate pilot hole.

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

Thanks, I appreciate that. And I really like the idea of making your own buttons, that sounds like something I would enjoy doing. Well, before the motor went out on my small lathe. Not sure I'm up to trying on a drill press. Do you start with square pieces and turn them round? Looks like it would be hard to keep the tools from flying across the shop. Well, for me anyway.

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Phil

http://www.oleninstruments.com

"Those who tilt at windmills are only considered insane by those who can't see the dragon."

You could cut a plug with a plugcutter, center drill & tack in a mandrel (to be replaced later by a screw) & file/sand to shape on a drillpress. I use this method often for knobs.

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Dave
Milton, ON

Acctually the last set I did on my drill press because the switch went out on my RAS (that has a drill chuck attachment). I rough them round on the bandsaw (carefully) first. Then I round them up with a file (light touch). They are so small it is not so bad.

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

Phil: I default to a tail jack instead of a wooden end pin. Then either tie off at head stock or metal button on the lower heel of the neck.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!